It is. The game is still under-developed and rather than shove combat out, with little other features available, the admins are gradually adding in features (such as creatures and R&D) as a build up towards combat. There is a feature called Arrest and Execute, which is pretty much a form of combat that is available to those in a faction (best to ready the rules about it for a good idea).

There are plenty of other features to do in the combine, so don't worry about not having anything to do til combat is released.